Wrench



Feb. 24; 1931.

A. MARCUSON IRENCH Filed' Nov. 15, 1923 Ewent'orz red Mar Paten'rerl Feb. '24, 1931 'WRENCI-I Application filed November 15, 1928. Serial No; 319,663.

The invention relates to wrenches, and more especially to the class of quick adjusting Wrenches of the snap grip type,

rllhe primary object of the invention is the provision of a Wrench of this character, Wherein the movable j aW can be conveniently and freely adjusted relati've to the station- -ry jaW and on proper adjustrnent Will be securely held by a iinger released pawl which is of novel form and mounted in a unique manner in the inovable aW frame.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a Wrench of this character, Wherein the latching paWl is fitted With the movable jaw to be carried thereby and is yieldably fulcrumed therein, so that it can be manually released to free the movable aw for accurate adjusament relative to the stationary jaw single-handed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a wrench of this character, Wherein a nut, bolt, pipe or other part to be turned can be manipulated With dispatch and withoutlosing its adjustment during the Working of the Wrench, the latter being novel in form to assure easy and quick adjustment to accommodate itself Within its range With minimuin amount of time and effort and which When so adjusted Will inaintain its adjustment until released by the user.

3-1 still further object of the invention is the provision of a Wrench of this character, which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efiioient in its operation, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

VVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as Will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theV accompanying drawing, showing the preferred emhodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of the Wrench constructed in accordance With the invention.

Figure 2, is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the wrench.

Figure 3, is a sectional vieW on theline 3-3 of Figure 1. V

Figure 4, is a perspective view of the locking pawl and spring attached removed from the Wrench.

Similar reference Characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referrinc to the drawing in detail, the Wreneh A, comprises a shank 10, which may be of the required length, having at one end a cross-head forming a stationary jaW 11, provided With a serrated inner surface forminG' a gripping face 12. This jaW 11, is at right-angles to the shank 10, and is preferably thiclrer than the latter, so as to provide abutment shoulders 18, at opposite side f ces of the shank.

Mounted to freely slide on the shank 10, and embracing the same is a sleeve-like movahle aW frame 14, provided With a jaW extension 15, coincident With the stationary jaW 11, the inner surface of the extension being formed With serrations to provide a gripping face 16, so that the'jaivs of the Wrench When engaging a part will firmly the same and be prevented from slip'- ping therefrom. v

'Uf course it is to be understood that the jaws of the Wrench can be varied in shape so that the latter may be used in handlng pipes. or other differently shaped parts, and like- Wise 4the movable jaW frame may be varied for its association With the shank of the Wrench, these changes being contemplated Within the scope of the invention,

The jaw frame 111, intermediate thereof is cut-away to provide therein a transverse recess 17, the opposite faces 18, and 19, of which taper away from each other V'toward the rear or heel of the frame through which the said recese 17 opens, while the closed end of the latter is formed with outside `semi-circular seats 20, and a central centering rib 21, respectively. The face 19, of the recess 9 greater inclination than the V 17, is at a face 18'. u

Rockably. mounted in the recess 17, is a looking paWl 2:2, `vvhich is reversely tapered With respect to said recess and completely sur- Iii rounds the shank 10, the inner end of the pawl 22, being forked to provide sep arated fulcrum extensions 23, constituting rockers fulcrumed in the seats 20, formed in the inner end of the recess 17 While the fork straddles the centering rib 21, and in this manner' the pawl 22, is properly aligned in the jaw frame 14, of the Wrench.

On the outer end of the pawl 22, is a finger engaging ear 24, against the under side of which is suitably fixed abowed forked shaped tensioning spring 25, loosely straddiing the shank and With its free arms slidabljyl engaging a step 26, formed in the lower face 19 of the recess 17. The arms of the spring are straight before the pawl is engaged in the recess as seen in Figure Li, of the dravving, but on engagement therein and about the shank 10, the arms of the said spring Will abut the steps 26 causing the spring 25 to become bowed in the direction of the iixed jaw 11 thus putting said spring under tension and through the action of this spring the pawl 22, is normally held raised against the upper face 18, of the recess 17 and 'Will have tendency to straighten out Whenipressure is applied to the movable jaw to draW the pawl 22 more firmly against the shanl: fora positive grip, as Will be apparent in Figures 1 and 2, of the drawing.

The end portion of the opening accommodating the shank 10 in the paWl 22, is inwardly beveled to provide a biting 'lip or dog 27, confronting the innerV smooth edge of the shank 10, so that when pressure is placed upon the movable javv When the paWl 22 is in raisedl normal p-osition this lip or dog 27, Will impinge and bite into the confronting edge of the shank and thus maintain said jaw immovable thereon.

To release the movable jaw of the Wrench A, it is only necessary to press downwardly on the ear 24, against the resistance of the spring 25, causing the pawl to loWer from its normal raised position in the recess 17 and in V this manner the lip or dog 27, retreat from the shank 10, and free the movable jaW.

The instant pressure is releasedrfrom the pawl 22, the spring 25 becomes active to ra-ise the said pawl to normal position in the reeess 17, and thus in this position the lip or dog 27, will bite the shank 10, and thus lock the movable jaw 15, in its adjusted positi-on relative to the stationary jaW 11.

The shoulders 13, formed by the stationary jaw 11, at opposite sides of the shank 10, limit the sliding of the movable aw 15, thereon in one direction. l

It Will be apparent that the greater the 4pressure against the movable jaW 15, When the Wrench is applied to a piece of Work, the

V more firmly the lip -or dog 27 Will grip or bite into the shank 10`and thiis hold thesaid jaW immovable thereon.

The jaWv 15, including its frame 14., and the pawl 22, can be readily adjusted single-handed and by the hand of the userl in which the shank 10, of the Wrench is held, this being clearly obvious.

lVhat is claimed is:

In a Wrench having fixed and movable jaWs and a shanlr supporting the same, the movable jaw being provided With a sleeve having an inwardly tapered intermediate cut out portion opening at its Wider end through the heel of said sleeve and disposed transversely of the shank, the cut out portion being provided With steps medially thereof, a closed loop-like looking paWl surrounding the shank and movably oonfined in the cut out portion and when in one position looking the movable aW and When in another position freeing said jaW, said movable jaw at the inner end of the cut out portion being` formed With fulcruin seats and an inte `mediate centering rib, a fork at the inner end of the paWl and having its ends engaged in the seats With said forl: straddling the centering rib, a iinger engaging ear on the outer end of the pawl and extending considerably beyond the cut out portion, and a tensioned bowed spring straddling the shanl: and riveted to the ear With its free ends engaged against the steps, thebow formation of the spring being in the direction of the fixed aw to constantly tension said spring for positive engagement of the pawl With the shank.

In testimony Whereof I afhx mv signature.

ALFRED MiiRoUsoN. 

